Heatwave Advice
Preparing for a Heatwave
In a severe heatwave you may get dehydrated and your body may overheat, leading to heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Both need urgent treatment.
The symptoms of heat exhaustion include headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness or cramps, pale skin, and a high temperature. You should move somewhere cool and drink plenty of water or fruit juice. If you can, take a lukewarm shower, or sponge yourself down with cold water.
Heatstroke can develop if heat exhaustion is left untreated, but it can also occur suddenly and without warning. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, an intense thirst, sleepiness, hot, red and dry skin, a sudden rise in temperature, confusion, aggression, convulsions and loss of consciousness.
Heatstroke can result in irreversible damage to your body, including the brain, or death.
Preventing heat exhaustion and heatstroke
What should you do?
Listen to your local weather forecast so you know if a heatwave is on the way, plan ahead to reduce the risk of getting heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
At home
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke usually only happen in England during unusually hot weather such as a heatwave. The Department of Health has produced the following advice on how to prevent heat-related illnesses during a heatwave.
Stay out of the heat
• Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
• If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf.
• Avoid extreme physical exertion.
• Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes.
Cool yourself down
• Have plenty of cold drinks, but no caffeine and alcohol.
• Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruits with a high water content.
• Take a cool shower, bath or body wash.
• Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck
Keep your environment cool
• Place a thermometer in your main living room and bedroom to keep a check on the temperature.
• Keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped.
• Care should be taken with metal blinds and dark curtains, as these can absorb heat. Consider replacing or putting reflective material in between them and the window space.
• Consider putting up external shading outside windows.
• Have your loft and cavity walls insulated. This keeps the heat in when it is cold and out when it is hot.
• Use pale, reflective external paints.
• Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment, as they generate more heat.
• Grow trees and leafy plants near windows to act as natural air conditioners.
• Keep indoor plants and bowls of water in the house, as evaporation helps cool the air.
• If possible, move into a cooler room, especially for sleeping.
Look out for others
• Keep an eye on isolated, elderly, ill or very young people and make sure they are able to keep cool.
• Ensure that babies, children or elderly people are not left alone in parked cars.
• Check on elderly or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during a heatwave.
• Be alert and call a doctor or social services if someone is unwell or further help is needed.
Seek advice if you have any concerns
• Contact your doctor, a pharmacist or NHS Direct if you are worried about your health during a heatwave, especially if you are taking medication, or have any unusual symptoms.
• Watch for cramp in your arms, legs or stomach, feelings of mild confusion, weakness or problems sleeping.
• If you have these symptoms, rest, keep cool and drink water or fruit juice.
If the symptoms do not respond to this treatment within half an hour, call 999 and ask for an ambulance
Further information
• The Birmingham Resilience web site at: http://www.birminghamprepared.gov.uk/advice/specific-risks/heatwave/
• Check the weather forecast and any high temperature health warnings at www.metoffice.gov.uk.
• You can get more information about preparing for a heatwave at www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Summerhealth/Pages/Heatwave.aspx
Leaflets
The Department of Health's leaflets for the public, social care professionals, and care home managers are available to download at the bottom of this page.